2018 Motul Roof of Africa – Mother of Hard Enduro
RESULTS | VIDEO | LIVE TRACKING
https://dbnews.ca/2018-roof-of-africa-results-tracking
Dec 6-8 2018
https://roofofafrica.info/
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ROOF OF AFRICA 2018  – General Race Information 

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DAY 1 GOLD Roof of Africa Results – LIVE

Wade Young (1)	89.4 km	4:31:08
Travis Teasdale (2)	80.7 km	4:31:08
Justin Flemmer (16)	78.3 km	4:31:08
Lloyd Kirk (26)	78.3 km	4:31:08
Scott Bouverie (3)	78.3 km	4:31:08
Matthew Green (9)	75.2 km	4:31:08
Kyle Flanagan (4)	74.9 km	4:31:08
Luke Walker (25)	74.6 km	4:31:08
Chayse Orsmond (5)	73.0 km	4:31:08
Altus De Wet (7)	72.9 km	4:31:08

DAY ONE VIDEO
To mark the 51st running of this iconic extreme enduro event, the Motul Roof of Africa 2018 saw the introduction of an all-new opening format. The Round the Houses curtain-raiser was transformed from the traditional dash through the streets of the capital city into two laps of a custom-designed prologue at Maseru Mall. Excitement mounted as the riders then set off for St Anthony’s School near Roma for the 48km time trial. This would see competitors tackle terrain that has not featured in the event for a decade. This is day 1 from the Motul Roof Of Africa- Mother of Hard Enduro

‘The Roof of Africa had its humble beginnings in 1967 when Bob Phillips, a Roads Engineer working in Lesotho, approached the Sports Car Club in Johannesburg and asked them if they would like to run a race over the worst road in the world that he had just finished building. The Roof of Africa was born!

The Roof of Africa quickly gained in popularity and it had become sponsored by The Star newspaper further promoting what was fast becoming a legend. In 1969 motorcycles starting competing against the cars and the event was soon split into two categories.

The event continued to grow through the 70’s 80’s and 90’s and the legend continued to grow. Up until 1982 the event ran right across Lesotho with overnight stops in either Matatiele or Sani Pass. From 1982 the event has been contained within the borders of Lesotho. The Roof of Africa was also attracting overseas interest and regular participation from overseas competitors

By the year 2000 Off Road car racing had become a highly specialised sport with big Manufacturer involvement. Single vehicles were now costing multi million Maloti and the Roof became “too tough” for them and the controlling federation decided to drop cars from the calendar. Some forecast doom but this was in fact a second birth for the Roof of Africa with record motorcycle entries being received. The event is now so popular that a Qualifying event for the Bronze Category has to be held.

Worldwide, Hard Enduro or Extreme Enduro has become increasingly popular and the Roof became known as the mother of hard enduro.”

• The Roof has been run every year since 1967, except 1998 due to the riots in Lesotho.
• 2017 will see the 50th staging of this event.
• The Roof is a non political event that has enjoyed great relationships with all the ruling parties and Military over the years.
• The event is inscribed on the FIM International Calendar and attracts competitors from up to 20 different countries.
• The event along with events in Brazil, Austria, Poland, Romania and Turkey is part of the Red Bull Hard Enduro Series.
• The Roof is at the forefront of technology.
• The Roof attracts nearly 400 competitors.
• The Roof is contested by the top competitors in the world as well as all the top competitors from the sub-continent.
• The Roof is now considered as a “bucket list event” in the same way that people do the Comrades Marathon, Two Oceans, Cape Epic etc.
• The Roof has an enviable safety record. Medical Support is of the highest available standards and world class hospital facilities are close by.
• The event is attended by many Lesotho dignitaries.
• The prize fund equivalent or better than the other Extreme events worldwide.
• The Roof is a highly visible sport reaching not only the town, but a lot of people in rural areas as well.
• It injects an estimated M80 million into Lesotho economy during Roof of Africa week.
• Organisation supports local businesses and communities.
• The Roof has boosted the Tourism Industry in Lesotho probably more than any other medium.
• The Roof enjoys good relations with its sponsors.
• The Roof’s Social Responsibility Initiatives include
  • • Support for “Riders for Health” Project
    • Various Community Initiatives
    • Employs community members
    • Employs a full time liaison officer to interact with communities along the routes to minimise inconvenience, crop damage and environmental issues..

   

Lyndon Poskitt – Expectations For Motul Roof Of Africa 2018

DEC 6 2018
PRESS RELEASE
New Format Sets the Stage for an Exciting Motul Roof of Africa 2018
 Issued by Listen Up on behalf of MOTUL South Africa:

To mark the 51st running of this iconic extreme enduro event, the Motul Roof of Africa 2018 saw the introduction of an all-new opening format. The Round the Houses curtain-raiser was transformed from the traditional dash through the streets of the capital city into two laps of a custom-designed prologue at Maseru Mall.

The combination of challenging technical sections and rapid traverses got competitors into the extreme enduro vibe immediately, and gave the leading riders a chance to demonstrate their skills to an enthusiastic local crowd.

With the Roof of Africa renowned for bringing rain to Lesotho, the dark clouds were no surprise – but they couldn’t dampen the spirits of the spectators, who were also entertained by a thrilling display of daring freestyle riding.

Reigning champion Wade Young (Sherco Racing) topped the Gold Class at Round the Houses, closely followed by Travis Teasdale (Beta) and – following a strong return to form – Scott Bouverie (Brother Leader Tread KTM) in third.

Excitement mounted as the riders then set off for St Anthony’s School near Roma for the 48km time trial. This would see competitors tackle terrain that has not featured in the event for a decade.

With thunder and lightning on the horizon, tactics and timing became a key consideration for the main contenders. Would it be better to go early, and race against the rain as well as the clock – or hang back and let the route develop?

In the Gold Class, the fascinating duel between Young and Teasdale continued. After almost an hour and a half in the mountains, Teasdale’s combined time for the day of 1h32’15” edged out the multiple Roof of Africa winner by just 87 seconds.